Red October
Senior Member
What would you say if something akin to Massey Tower or Five happened here? aka the historic buildings are restored complete with their interiors but the tower is built on top/set back?
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What would you say if something akin to Massey Tower or Five happened here? aka the historic buildings are restored complete with their interiors but the tower is built on top/set back?
What would you say if something akin to Massey Tower or Five happened here? aka the historic buildings are restored complete with their interiors but the tower is built on top/set back?
If you are referring to parking lots then yes, I'd agree. But if you are talking about the redevelopment of historic King St. East then I would have to disagree very, very strongly. This stretch of King East is one of the few remaining parts of the downtown that has any amount of integrity and continuity. Contrast King East with Bay Street - who in their right mind would want to go for a stroll down Bay St. (north of Queen) The only street level businesses you find are copy centres, Subway sandwiches, and drug stores. But one can't argue that Bay St. pays it's way in terms of high-rise density.This area is desperately in need of development.
who in their right mind would want to go for a stroll down Bay St.
If you are referring to parking lots then yes, I'd agree. But if you are talking about the redevelopment of historic King St. East then I would have to disagree very, very strongly. This stretch of King East is one of the few remaining parts of the downtown that has any amount of integrity and continuity. Contrast King East with Bay Street - who in their right mind would want to go for a stroll down Bay St. (north of Queen) The only street level businesses you find are copy centres, Subway sandwiches, and drug stores. But one can't argue that Bay St. pays it's way in terms of high-rise density.
Here's a thought.
Initiate a coordinated planning effort whereby you designate specific sites for extremely high density (ie. flagship starchitect supertall buildings like London's shard). But implement strict planning mechanisms which absolutely prevent these exceptions from ever being used as precedents. In order to gain the right to develop one of these nodes (the locations of which are NOT determined by developers or landowners, but by urban thinkers, architects, and designers) a development levy is charged, thus creating a level playing field with the sites of lesser density in the immediate vicinity.
Only with this kind of coordinated planning effort will the city ever survive the perils of bad development, bad architecture, and greed motivated destruction of the public realm.
It is also being reviewed by the TPB:
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2012.PB14.2
Following research and evaluation, staff have determined that the King Street East properties meet Ontario Regulation 9/06, the provincial criteria prescribed for municipal designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. The designation of the properties would enable City Council to regulate alterations to the sites, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition.